Job Description

About Sandia:

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

• Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
• Extraordinary co-workers
• Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• Generous vacations, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov*These benefits vary by job classification.

What Your Job Will Be Like:

Are you ready to lead a dynamic R&D department with significant mission impact? We are seeking an enthusiastic manager to lead our team in developing and deploying innovative polymer and composite materials solutions across a range of exciting mission applications. If you are passionate about leading world-class teams in research and development, this unique opportunity is for you.

Our team of subject matter experts specializes in polymers and composites, including thermal protection systems for hypersonic flight, and adhesives, encapsulants, desiccants, coatings, and foams for our ND systems and beyond. We also lead in materials specifications and partner with national security programs. Our R&D projects (typically TRL 3-7) push the state-of-the-art in these areas, serving customers and partners across the Sandia mission portfolio and the broader Nuclear Security Enterprise.

As 1833 Manager, R&D Science and Engineering, you will nurture and grow relationships with ND components and systems groups, as well as other national security departments. You will collaborate with other 1800 managers and departments to deliver innovative solutions. Our teams provide creative materials solutions to meet customer needs while providing fundamental understanding of materials design, performance, aging, and failure mechanisms, alongside corresponding mitigation solutions.

You will also steward and advance the department’s capabilities, including nurturing and growing 1833’s amazing team, advancing experimental and facilities’ capabilities, and developing work portfolios that exercise and advance the technical and professional skills of the staff.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Set Department Direction: Inspire innovation to mature capabilities that provide a differentiating advantage to our missions.
• Manage Talent Pipeline: Oversee recruitment, staffing, training, performance assessments, work assignments, recognition of successes, and any necessary disciplinary actions.
• Lead Program Development: Connect the team’s expertise with potential beneficiaries, collaborators, and customers in alignment with organizational goals, Sandia’s missions, and the Center’s strategic plans.
• Cultivate an Inclusive Environment: Ensure a culture that values diversity and promotes safety and security.
• Develop R&D Strategies: Implement unifying R&D strategies across mission portfolios through dedicated mission engagement.
• Strengthen Partnerships: Enrich relationships with nuclear deterrence and strategic partnership program organizations to capitalize on strengths and amplify our mission impact.
• Steward Laboratory Spaces: Ensure critical capabilities are maintained and optimized.
• Extend Innovation: Adopt new processes to streamline the business and/or operational aspects of our work.
• Serve as a Derivative Classifier (DC): Perform classification duties as required.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.

Salary Range:

$149,700 - $254,400

*Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate\'s experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.

Qualifications We Require:

• Master’s degree in chemistry, materials science, mechanical engineering, physics, or a related scientific, engineering, or technical field.
• Eight or more years of proven experience in science and/or engineering.
• Three or more years of leadership experience successfully leading technical teams.
• Experience teaming with production agencies in product development and realization.
• Active DOE Q or DOD Top Secret security clearance.

Qualifications We Desire:

• PhD in chemistry, materials science, mechanical engineering, physics, or a related scientific, engineering, or technical field
• Experience in polymer, composite, or other materials technologies for high-consequence applications.
• Experience in product development and realization, particularly in introducing new science and technology to Sandia mission areas
• Experience leading diverse, high performing teams
• Ability to lead and deliver on technical programs requiring cross-organizational collaboration.
• Strong interest and aptitude for leading people and organizations
• Commitment to excellence in quality, delivery, safety, and security
• SCI clearance

About Our Team:

The Polymers and Composites Department develops processes, builds prototypes, and deploys hardware in support of mission activities at Sandia National Laboratories and in collaboration with partners. We specialize in adhesives, encapsulants, foams, paints, and coatings, plus carbon fiber and glass-reinforced composite materials. Our team is also responsible for retaining the technical competency for legacy materials used throughout Sandia. Our staff of scientists and engineers work closely with other departments to understand and improve materials found in a myriad of applications and environments. We routinely employ advanced manufacturing techniques to supplement traditional subtractive or machining practices. Our applications include components and widgets deployed in extreme thermal, mechanical or electrical environments. We rely on extensive historical knowledge and experiences to make decisions while pushing the boundary of possibilities through creative thinking, experimentation, and sound application of the scientific method.

Posting Duration:

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the ‘posting date’. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

Security Clearance:

Position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q security clearance to start, or equivalent active security clearance with another U.S. government agency (e.g., DOD). Sandia is required by DOE directive to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

EEO:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs:

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.

Job ID: 693876

Job Family: RD

Regular/Temporary Position: R

Full/Part-Time Status: F

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.